Samsung has long been using recycled materials in Galaxy devices to reduce its carbon footprint and help create a sustainable future. All Galaxy devices launched in 2022 and later feature recycled materials. The company uses recycled plastic, paper, metals, glass, and other materials in packaging and various device components. The newly launched Galaxy S24 series takes these efforts one step further, incorporating new materials during manufacturing.
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series uses more recycled materials than before
According to Samsung, the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra feature components made with recycled cobalt and rare earth elements such as Neodymium. These are the first Samsung products to use these materials. The Plus and Ultra models have over 50% recycled cobalt in their batteries. Speakers on all three models are made of 100% recycled Neodymium.
This is on top of using other types of recycled materials in various components. The Galaxy S24 series features repurposed materials in its speakers, case, S Pen cover, S Pen’s knob holder, Power and volume buttons, SIM tray, camera deco, screen, back glass, and battery. Samsung says it sourced recycled plastics from discarded fishing nets, water barrels, and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles.
The Korean firm started incorporating ocean-bound discarded fishing nets in its phones in 2022. It has teamed up with several organizations to collect and repurpose those nets and discarded water barrels, PET bottles, and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). By the end of 2024, it aims to use nearly 100 metric tons of recycled plastics. This is equivalent to 10 million empty PET bottles.
The Galaxy S24 series also incorporates aluminum recycled from scrap metal generated during manufacturing. Samsung expects to use around 110 metric tons of recycled aluminum in the new flagships this year. The weight is the equivalent of 9 million soda cans. The devices also come in a packaging box made using 100% recycled paper, something Samsung has done for a few years now.
The new flagships will use 2,760 metric tons of recycled paper in 2024
If Samsung achieves its Galaxy S24 sales target for 2024, it might use more than 2,760 metric tons of recycled paper in packaging boxes for the devices. That is the same amount of paper as 552 million pieces of A4-sized sheets. “If stacked on top of one another, that would be approximately the same height as 71 Burj Khalifas, which is the tallest building in the world,” Samsung says. The company vows to continue using recycled materials in its products in the coming years.